Even in the Pain
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
(The Psalms 84: 11-12 NASB)
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”
No one ever wants to really “see” if they have what it takes to endure. We may speak in confidence on this side of loss that we would faithfully endure to the end, but on this side, it’s so easy. On that side, the pain would be unbearably difficult.
No one ever wants to really “hear” someone speak of a believer falling away from his faith, but most of us have seen it and cried tears when it occurred.
- No one ever entered a marriage expecting to divorce.
- No one ever started a career hoping to be unemployed.
- No one ever purchased a home thinking he would one day be homeless.
- No one ever dreamed of a baby and hoped for loss.
The amazing work of God sent His only Son to earth so that we might come to know Him!
Sometimes, life on earth really stinks, and truthfully, this word “stinks” is not even strong enough for the pain some are called to endure as they walk through their lives.
Jesus’ disciples were listening to Him speak that day in the temple. They heard the Jews grumbling among themselves when their Savior said—
“I am the bread that came down out of heaven.”
(The Gospel According to John 6: 41b & 58 NASB)
&
“This is the bread which came down out of heaven;
not as the fathers ate and died;
he who eats this bread will live forever.”
- Many people speak of God.
- Many people have heard about God.
- Many seem to have religion.
Some people have even heard of a man named Jesus.
Some have read of the work of Jesus on the cross.
Some say, “Someday when I get close to the end of my life, I’ll accept the truth of Jesus.”
- But a vast majority of people cannot see the truth.
- But a vast majority do not know the TRUTH—JESUS, WHO BRINGS ETERNAL LIFE!
When the Savior Jesus Christ asked His disciple Simon Peter if he too wanted to walk away from his faith, this disciple of Jesus spoke words—we need to remember—
When our days are good &
Even when we walk through days of pain.
“So Jesus said to the twelve,
(The Gospel According to John 6: 67-68 NASB)
“You do not want to go away also, do you?”
Simon Peter answered Him,
“Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have words of eternal life.”
Many years ago, I met a student in the parking lot of the high school. That day just happened to be her birthday, and I remember thinking, ‘Oh how sad to be changing schools, to be so far away from family, and to be friendless and starting a new school on a day such as this—your birthday.’
I kept those words inside my brain, speaking instead the words I thought she needed to hear.
“I am so glad you have come to this high school, and I am also thankful I get the privilege of serving as your teacher.”
- It did not really matter why this young student was transferring schools.
- It also did not matter why she had to walk through this sad time so close to the end of the school year.
What mattered most was that she was here & I needed to show her God’s love through my actions.
- We must love Jesus more than mere words.
- We must love Jesus even when life becomes unbearably tough.
- We must not walk away from our faith but stay true until the end of our days.
The Creator, Father God, placed on Jesus—All my sins and yours too.
Almighty God gave our Savior more than was imaginable—The sins of the whole world.
Jesus Christ bore our sins upon the cross of Calvary & He willingly died so that we might come to know Him as our Savior!
THEN
Jesus Christ rose from the grave three days after His death & He ascended back to heaven so that we might always know the ETERNAL LIFE HE HAS GIVEN TO US!
Many years after these events occurred, this same disciple, Peter, wrote these words so we might never forget or walk away from the FAITH we have received through JESUS CHRIST—
“And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men,
(The First Letter of Peter 2: 4-5 NASB)
but is choice and precious in the sight of God,
you also, as living stones,
are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Since 2017, this young student (now young lady) and I have talked through WhatsApp & Instagram. We share life events, laugh together, recall memories of our time shared before she moved back home to Europe. We talk about the hikes we took, the meals shared, and about her struggles faced in becoming a new student when the school year was almost complete. Over time, I have shared a conversation with her mother as this student of mine served as our translator, and I have seen so many photos of her family and boyfriend.
Life has a unique way of allowing us to build relationships with beautiful ones.
So, when I heard that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was hosting a festival in Naples, Italy during the middle of September, I prayed, asking God for the words to speak when I shared this news with this young lady.
- Often, we have shared conversations of faith.
- Many times, she has asked me questions about God.
- Numerous opportunities have arisen for me to share Jesus.
She has heard, but she does not yet believe.
That Franklin Graham will be preaching the Gospel so close to her home is amazing.
&
That she excitedly responded with plans to attend this evangelistic festival brought me to my knees in thanksgiving and praise.
- I am praying for a miracle.
- I am praying that she will hear the Word of God and believe.
- I am praying that her whole family will come to faith.
“But you are a CHOSEN RACE,
(The First Letter of Peter 2: 9-10 NASB)
A royal PRIESTHOOD,
A HOLY NATION,
A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION,
so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him
who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
for you once were NOT A PEOPLE,
but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;
you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY,
but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”